2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown

Based on his 2013 performance, Josh McCown would be an upgrade as the starting quarterback for several teams. However, there are multiple factors at play here. First is McCown’s age and desire to continue playing, as he has hinted at retirement. He has also never exhibited such high level of play before this season. It is more than fair to wonder if he will sustain his 2013 performance away from Marc Trestman and the Bears phenomenal supporting cast. He's a big buyer beware.

A failure as a franchise quarterback years ago, Tavaris Jackson is now one of the best backups in the league. He has been at least passable every time he has seen the field with the Seahawks. Perhaps a team looks at him as a stopgap starter.

2) Matt Cassel, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 32 *re-signed with Vikings*

Matt Cassel enjoyed another inconsistent season while rotating in and out of the Vikings starting lineup. He can probably still help a team as a high-end backup and potential bridge starter. The Vikings might look to retain Cassel in that role.

3) Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars. Age: 29 *re-signed with Jaguars

Chad Henne is not a starting quarterback; this is obvious. However, he is still capable of coming off the bench and delivering a halfway decent performance. He is just as capable of making a horrific mistake, however. Jacksonville will certainly be searching for an upgrade at quarterback this offseason. Henne might return as a bridge to a rookie, or could head elsewhere, but his role is well defined at this point.

Role players

1) Mark Sanchez, New York Jets. Age: 27 *signed with Eagles*

The former fifth overall pick flamed out in an epic way with the Jets. Mark Sanchez would be wise to take a few years spent backing up an established starter. He has the tools to be a high upside number two quarterback, but he shouldn't be a big part of anyone's plans right now.

2) Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tennessee Titans. Age: 31 *signed with Texans*

The definition of streaky, you never know what you're going to get from Ryan Fitzpatrick, even from play to play. He can take your breath away, and then make you vomit in the span of one drive. Fitzpatrick is an NFL backup quarterback, but he has a lot of flaws.

3) Matt Flynn, Green Bay Packers. Age: 29

Matt Flynn is the butt of plenty of jokes, given how much money he has made out of his mediocre career. Nevertheless, he still played well enough to keep the Packers afloat in the playoff race. Flynn should remain in Green Bay where he has clearly been at his best.

4) Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagle. Age: 34 *signed with Jets*

A perennially overrated player, it seems the football world finally caught up to what Vick has become. His physical gifts have begun to erode, and he has never developed enough as a cerebral pocket passer to compensate for this moment. Vick’s body looked completely finished when he tried to return from yet another injury this season. All that being said, perhaps spending most of this season on the bench helped the aging quarterback rest up. Maybe he has one last season, or two, to give a team searching for a placeholder at quarterback. Whatever team drafts Johnny Manziel might look to pair him with Michael Vick, just for the sake of offensive continuity.

5) Kellen Clemens, St. Louis Rams. Age: 31 *signed with Chargers*

Kellen Clemens was much better than expected in relief of Sam Bradford. He functioned at a decent level behind a sustaining running attack and with emerging young weapons. Clemens at least looks like a safe backup going forward.

6) Shaun Hill, Detroit Lions. Age: 34 *signed with Rams*

Shaun Hill is the perfect backup quarterback. He has excelled in that role for multiple teams over his career. It has been several years since Hill has seen extensive action, but he could probably keep an offense viable for a few games if need be.

He is remembered for his infamous postgame rant, but you could do a lot worse than Derek Anderson as a backup quarterback. He will throw up plenty of interceptions, but at least he can move an offense. Anderson is an ideal cheap second option.

8) Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins. Age: 34

Another former bust who has endured many of laughs at his expense, Rex Grossman is not a popular quarterback. However, he has never been an abject disaster. Grossman’s propensity for turnovers means you never want to see him on the field for long. If he was forced to start three games or so, he could at least lead a competitive offense.

Diamond in the Rough

1) Josh Freeman, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 26

Yes, that Josh Freeman. Greg Schiano famously ran him out of Tampa Bay this season. Then Freeman did absolutely nothing to prove his former coach wrong in his short tenure with the Vikings. He spent exactly one humiliating, disastrous game as the Vikings starting quarterback, before being a healthy scratch for most of the rest of his time there. All that being said, Freeman is still very young, and dripping with physical talent. Some organization with quarterback issues could bring him in thinking he can be developed into their answer at the position. However, the best move for Josh Freeman would be to spend a few years sitting behind a veteran quarterback trying to rehab his damaged image.

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